Chuck’s Produce & Street Market, located in Vancouver, WA, proved that potatoes are big business this past November. A retail display, bursting at the seams with 133,000 pounds of Washington state-grown potatoes, took over the unofficial title as the largest volume of potatoes ever displayed in one retail exhibit. The gargantuan display toppled the previous unofficial record of 92,500 pounds of spuds garnered by a Canadian grocer a year ago.

Dean Christensen, Alex Christensen and their father, Wahluke owner Del Christensen, in front of the Wahluke packingshed. (Photo courtesy of Wahluke Produce)The massive display was installed in November just in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday, inspiring area shoppers to include premium Washington potatoes in meal planning. The display was anchored by 50-pound cartons of Washington-grown potato varieties.

“We’re excited to break the current world record, promote Washington state potatoes and give our customers a fantastic deal just in time for the holiday season,” said Paul Todak, produce manager at Chuck’s Produce.

The announcement was made by the Washington State Potato Commission Nov. 11.

“We are thrilled to be able to support Chuck’s Produce & Street Market with their record-breaking display,” said WSPC Executive Director Chris Voigt. “Washington state has the highest potato-yielding fields in the world, and it only makes sense that potatoes that were grown in our state would be used to construct the largest potato display ever.”

According to the commission, potatoes are the third-largest agricultural crop grown in the Evergreen State. The potatoes have earned a positive global reputation for quality, consistency and taste. And the industry, which accounts for 23,500 jobs in Washington, infuses the state’s economy with approximately $4.6 billion annually.